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| Autumn Watercolor Collage |
 catie writes, "This art project allows your child to combine vintage papers and typography
with their own watercolor painting to create a richly layered, fall-inspired work of art."
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Materials:
1) white construction paper 8 1/2 x 11
2) standard watercolor paints
3) sheet of vintage paper 8 1/2 x 11 -OR-
parchment-colored specialty paper for printing 8 1/2 x 11
4) brown construction paper 8 1/2 x 11
5) autumn-themed vintage dictionary definition
6) scissors
7) glue
8) colored pencils
9) large black construction paper (larger than 8 1/2 x 11)
Directions:
1) Discussing Autumn
This is a great time to talk about the change of seasons. Look at a changing leaf or an apple and ask your child what colors they see. While we usually think of a red apple, a green leaf, and an orange pumpkin, each individual object contains many different colors when we look closely.
2) Watercolor
Begin with white construction paper. Thicker than standard paper, construction paper is perfect for watercolor. Draw a fall shape {pumpkin, leaf, apple} for your child to paint - I have free samples available, see website below. Using a standard watercolor set, have your child paint on the back of the paper, not the side with the printed shape. This will result in a work of art that is truly their own creation, as opposed to simply painting inside the lines. They may have to hold their painting up to the light periodically to see if they have filled the shape with color. Allow the painting to dry a bit while you move on to the next step.
3. Background
Vintage books or papers add such an unexpected layer, especially in childrens artwork. Sheet music is really beautiful to use - if you don't have access to any, I have a free sample on my website, see below. Use a parchment-colored specialty paper for printing, as this will lend a vintage look. This is available by the box at any office supply store, or by the sheet at any copy center.
4) Foreground
Create a "ground" for the painted object to rest on. Using brown construction paper, have your child tear a thick strip of across the shorter side of the paper. This torn edge will have a very organic look, creating another element in the collage. Have your child glue the ground on top of the vintage paper along the bottom edge.
Add one more feature to the collage with a vintage dictionary definition. Again, use a parchment-colored paper with an aged look for printing. Use scissors to trim the definition you choose. Wait to glue this piece down until you have placed your painting onto the background.
5) Cutting and gluing the shape
If your child's painting is reasonably dry, you can have them cut out their shape using the line drawing on the reverse side of their painting. Have them cut only the main shape, removing the stem. They can add it back later. I have younger children "bubble cut" first around the outside of the shape, then go back to cut out the details. Once the shape is cut out, have your child decide where it should sit on the ground, then glue it down. This is a good time to decide where to place the definition and glue it in place.
6) Finishing the piece
Now is the time for your child to add a stem and any other details to their painted shape. Your child can use colored pencils to draw pumpkin ridges or leaf veins. A stem can be added using colored pencils or another torn piece of brown paper. When your child is satisfied with the finished piece, you can glue it in the center of a large piece of black construction paper to give it a gallery look.
Note: All drawings mentioned here (including sheet music and dictionary word samples) are free for you to download and print at this address:
http://five-ten-fifteen.blogspot.com/p/art-paper-scissors-autumn-watercolor.html
Another idea:
This project would look great on the wall as a set of three. Try all three shapes, or create one of your own.
You can come and see the Autumn Watercolor Collages made by Mrs. Morgan's 1st Grade class on display at the Eagle Hills Elementary School Harvest Hoe Down on Thursday, September 29th, 5 – 8 PM.
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Posted on Sep 24, 2011 08:27am.
(Return)
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| Comments |
i am very inspired...thinking of doing the 3 with my 3 boys! definitely beats paying for fall, home decorations! thanks catie!
-- vblaine, Sep 25, 2011 04:06pm
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LOVE this project Catie!! Thanks for the inspiration!
-- parsonsx6, Sep 24, 2011 01:05pm
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